Review by Vladimir on January 15, 2024.

Back in Winter of last year, one of the most highly anticipated releases in the Balkans was Naši Životi Više Ne Postoje, the first full-length album of the Croatian black metal band Prognan. In the meanwhile, they did release a compilation album Sve Je Tiho Na Istočnom Frontu on May 24th, 2023, containing rerecorded tracks from their Jama EP and Follow The Blind demo, including some unused works from Naši Životi Više Ne Postoje. Not long after that, the band announced that their second full-length album Sjene Nad Balkanom will be released on January 24th, 2024, serving as a direct continuation of their previous album. With a successful run of their first full-length and strong reputation, it is time to take a look at their second full-length album and see what impending doom stirs in the Shadows over Balkans. 

Once again, Prognan took on the musical approach from the predecessor Naši Životi Više Ne Postoje with heavy tremolo picking guitar riffs, blast beats and double-bass drumming and harsh guttural vocals, backed up with orchestrations consisted of trumpets, violins, cellos, choirs and even occasional pianos. The guitar work on this album seems to be more melodic than last time with a more intricate songwriting, and the songs are also heavier, more intense and more aggressive than ever, with a total destruction happening from one song to another. Interestingly enough, the film score elements in their music seem to have taken a very intense approach this time that contributes a lot to the songs by giving them character, with the interesting moments showing on the third track 'Tri Nacije' which has that jolly piano dominated R&B music with bar fight in the background, all the while black metal music is still being played. Another example where the album musically departs from the overall established formula are 'Za One Koji Su Hrabri Samo Kada Ginu' and 'Mrtva Vremena', both tracks which are outstanding for their own display of tragedy and melancholy. The sixth track 'Za One Koji Su Hrabri Samo Kada Ginu' is a somber acoustic song with clean singing vocals, violins and bar crowd cheering in the background, with glasses breaking on the floor and the singer crying at the end, whereas the eight track 'Mrtva Vremena' is a cello oriented song with clean singing vocals and backing vocals, ending with sounds of a woman screaming and crows cawing. Once the album reaches its closure with the final track 'Početak Kraja', not only does it end on a high note, but it also leaves the story open for the continuation, which will definitely lead to the third album that will deal with the events that follow. Lyrically, the album is a direct continuation of the debut Naši Životi Više Ne Postoje and talks about the gloomy period of the Balkan states between 1934 and 1941, covering all the crucial events in that timelapse which lead to the German occupation in WW2. 

What really sets this album apart from its predecessor is that it truly feels like a one big cinematic journey with all the sound effects, dialogs and overall storytelling through music, giving you that vibe that you are reliving the scenes from a film scope which matches other wartime movies such as "The Pianist" and "Schindler’s List". The album truly has a lot going on with all the themes and ideas that were expressed in the entire musical output from Prognan, which takes you on this gloomy journey that will make you feel as if you have witnessed all these events yourself with the heavy emotional rollercoaster and feeling of incomprehensible downward spiral from start to finish. What contributes a lot to this album is the general lengthiness of the songs, which for the most part are pretty long and the band uses this opportunity wisely in order to have each song tell its story and express its feelings. I’d say that the biggest highlight apart from the songwriting and the complexity of their arrangements is the album’s capability of hitting you in the feels with such a strong punch, both from a musical and storytelling perspective. I have to say, it certainly is not an easy album to listen to, especially if you are someone who is familiar with Balkan history or occasionally does his research to find interesting bits and historic facts, or perhaps if you are someone whose elders passed their stories from one generation to another or still knows elders who lived to tell the story from their point of view. Production wise, Sjene Nad Balkanom does not differ that much from the predecessor Naši Životi Više Ne Postoje, however it does do an excellent job at giving you plenty to hear this time with acoustics, classical music elements and orchestrations, even in the tracks that leave out the black metal aspect of their music. 

Sjene Nad Balkanom is definitely a worthy and mighty sequel that outmatched Naši Životi Više Ne Postoje with its overall execution, marking a one powerful continuation that managed to express even more emotions and not break away the magic that Prognan built from the ashes up. Comparison-wise, it is a better album, it is much more complex and well-thought in terms of the songwriting, with a large strength in numbers that state very loudly that “more is more”. Fans who really liked the previous album will surely love this one, and perhaps feel the same way as I did, and will definitely be more excited with what comes next. In my humble opinion, a band which is so dedicated, focused and strong-willed as Prognan, I think that being primarily a studio project is just not enough for me, because after their triumphant return with their first full-length from last year and with their second-full length on the rise, I am convinced that Prognan’s excellence should be seen live on concert with an orchestra, possibly in national theaters or youth centers, and I believe that decision would sell like hot cakes. 

Rating: 9.2 out of 10

Review by Jeger on May 24, 2025.

There is no religion more oppressive than Islam… It's tyrannical grip upon the Middle East sees people stoned to death, dismembered and hanged for failing to comply with Sharia Law. It sees women disgraced and children condemned to abuse and violence. And there's probably been no fiercer oppressor than one Ayatollah Khomeini - a key figure in the 1979 Iranian Revolution. He was responsible for countless deaths, torture and even the slaughter of innocent children. His vision for Iran was a nightmarish one; brought to life through heinous travesties against humanity. Now, there's a band known as Trivax that is here to cast light upon these atrocities…

Trivax is a Black Metal project that got its start in Tehran. In those days, Trivax risked imprisonment and even death for the cause. Trivax visionary, Shayan, before beginning his project, was known for challenging his teachers and their ideals. He knew at a young age that there was something way wrong with Islam. In 2011, Shayan, made his way to the United Kingdom to build a lineup for Trivax. He began the project in 2009 as a solo venture. In Birmingham, he found drummer Matthew Croton, guitarist Benjamin Sheldon and bassist Thomas Bushell. In 2012, Trivax released their demo, Set The Torch. There were a couple of lineup changes up until 2018. That year, Shayan encountered one Sully, who was actually imprisoned by the Syrian Regime at the age of 18 and tortured because of his passion for Heavy Metal. And so the band's first concrete lineup was formed. In 2023, Trivax released their second LP, Eloah Burns Out, via Cult Never Dies, and to the enthrallment of critics and enthusiasts. Now, two years later, we await Trivax's third LP, The Great Satan, which is scheduled for a May 30 release via the legendary Osmose Productions.

This is what BM is all about: rebellion, liberation and confrontation. Within The Great Satan (a title given to the Ayatollah as a way to personify evil), you'll encounter deep cultural influences, but mainly, you'll take in Black Metal of the most brutal consort: nasty riffs, bludgeoning rhythms and savage vocals. Aside from the aforementioned cultural elements, The Great Satan also bears semblances to some of the greats to include Watain during "To Liberation And Beyond" with its fierce momentum and Gaahl era Gorgoroth during "Here Comes The Flood", as it unfolds to complex yet swift progressions. God damn is this good… A power trio at their apex, and unrelenting is their onslaught.

The titular track - a deeply contemplative number; not what you would expect, especially considering the intense nature of the preceding cuts. Production quality is of a world-class kind, and it's a nice compliment to the music, which is reflective of this band's artistic maturation/class. This record is much more of a straight Black Metal affair when compared to Eloah Burns Out that leaned closer towards the Black/Death sub-genre. "Daemon's Melancholia" is a prime example: melodic and enchanting - slightly redolent to the Golden Age of the early '90's Melodic Black Metal movement when bands like Dissection and Sacramentum reigned. There are a number of clips that play out during the album that I assume are verbal accounts of some of the oppression that took place during the Ayatollah's scourge. These convey an air of importance, almost to the point of urgency for the recording. The soulful "Operation Ramadan", following its heartfelt sequences, gives way to the closer, "Tamam Shod". It's here in these closing moments of the album when it all becomes clear as to how meaningful this record is to Trivax. Like a funeral in its somberness, like a tribute to the fallen and like the death of freedom does this closing chapter play out. An elegy for those whose names have been forgotten, but whose sacrifices are forever etched into the pages of history.

As the brutality of the Islamic Extremist religious machine continues its course throughout the Middle East - grinding its way through innocence and turning up the rotten soil of degradation, Trivax make their voices heard: brave, profound and victorious. The voice of the voiceless have they become. A new kind of Black Metal movement is upon us! A new enemy. Aeons old yet feared until now. Bands like Trivax are of the utmost importance to today's Black Metal climate. Give Islam the slander it deserves! Make its horrors known and stand boldly against it in the adversarial Black Metal way. This is freedom, this is opposition… This is Trivax.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Review by Jeger on May 24, 2025.

There is no religion more oppressive than Islam… It's tyrannical grip upon the Middle East sees people stoned to death, dismembered and hanged for failing to comply with Sharia Law. It sees women disgraced and children condemned to abuse and violence. And there's probably been no fiercer oppressor than one Ayatollah Khomeini - a key figure in the 1979 Iranian Revolution. He was responsible for countless deaths, torture and even the slaughter of innocent children. His vision for Iran was a nightmarish one; brought to life through heinous travesties against humanity. Now, there's a band known as Trivax that is here to cast light upon these atrocities…

Trivax is a Black Metal project that got its start in Tehran. In those days, Trivax risked imprisonment and even death for the cause. Trivax visionary, Shayan, before beginning his project, was known for challenging his teachers and their ideals. He knew at a young age that there was something way wrong with Islam. In 2011, Shayan, made his way to the United Kingdom to build a lineup for Trivax. He began the project in 2009 as a solo venture. In Birmingham, he found drummer Matthew Croton, guitarist Benjamin Sheldon and bassist Thomas Bushell. In 2012, Trivax released their demo, Set The Torch. There were a couple of lineup changes up until 2018. That year, Shayan encountered one Sully, who was actually imprisoned by the Syrian Regime at the age of 18 and tortured because of his passion for Heavy Metal. And so the band's first concrete lineup was formed. In 2023, Trivax released their second LP, Eloah Burns Out, via Cult Never Dies, and to the enthrallment of critics and enthusiasts. Now, two years later, we await Trivax's third LP, The Great Satan, which is scheduled for a May 30 release via the legendary Osmose Productions.

This is what BM is all about: rebellion, liberation and confrontation. Within The Great Satan (a title given to the Ayatollah as a way to personify evil), you'll encounter deep cultural influences, but mainly, you'll take in Black Metal of the most brutal consort: nasty riffs, bludgeoning rhythms and savage vocals. Aside from the aforementioned cultural elements, The Great Satan also bears semblances to some of the greats to include Watain during "To Liberation And Beyond" with its fierce momentum and Gaahl era Gorgoroth during "Here Comes The Flood", as it unfolds to complex yet swift progressions. God damn is this good… A power trio at their apex, and unrelenting is their onslaught.

The titular track - a deeply contemplative number; not what you would expect, especially considering the intense nature of the preceding cuts. Production quality is of a world-class kind, and it's a nice compliment to the music, which is reflective of this band's artistic maturation/class. This record is much more of a straight Black Metal affair when compared to Eloah Burns Out that leaned closer towards the Black/Death sub-genre. "Daemon's Melancholia" is a prime example: melodic and enchanting - slightly redolent to the Golden Age of the early '90's Melodic Black Metal movement when bands like Dissection and Sacramentum reigned. There are a number of clips that play out during the album that I assume are verbal accounts of some of the oppression that took place during the Ayatollah's scourge. These convey an air of importance, almost to the point of urgency for the recording. The soulful "Operation Ramadan", following its heartfelt sequences, gives way to the closer, "Tamam Shod". It's here in these closing moments of the album when it all becomes clear as to how meaningful this record is to Trivax. Like a funeral in its somberness, like a tribute to the fallen and like the death of freedom does this closing chapter play out. An elegy for those whose names have been forgotten, but whose sacrifices are forever etched into the pages of history.

As the brutality of the Islamic Extremist religious machine continues its course throughout the Middle East - grinding its way through innocence and turning up the rotten soil of degradation, Trivax make their voices heard: brave, profound and victorious. The voice of the voiceless have they become. A new kind of Black Metal movement is upon us! A new enemy. Aeons old yet feared until now. Bands like Trivax are of the utmost importance to today's Black Metal climate. Give Islam the slander it deserves! Make its horrors known and stand boldly against it in the adversarial Black Metal way. This is freedom, this is opposition… This is Trivax.

Rating: 10 out of 10